Tubing catcher



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J s. v. DILLON TUBING CATCHER www@ v 6 a l///////V//\//////W/w//////////////V///\w 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan.l9,1927 Aug., E@ i927 S. V. ULLON TUBING GATCHER Filed Jan.l9, 1.927 4Sheets-Sheet 4 Grimma Patented Aug. 30, 1927.

UNlTED STATES PATENT FF'.

TUBING CATCHER.

Application tiled January 19, 1927. Serial No. 182,043.

This invention relates to improvements in tubing catchers for oil wellsand the like.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a tubing catcheradapted to be arranged between the tubing and casing of a well: suchdevice Functioning to latch at any point in the casing. and allowingfree longitudinal movement of the tubing to a predetermined extent. 5

Another ob'ect is to furnish a tubing catcher designed to automaticallyfunction whenever a break occurs in the tubing string above the catcher.and to instantaneously anchor the tubing when such an accident l5happens.

A *further object is to provide a tubing catcher which willautomatically and instantaneously anchor the tubing in position. even ifthe tubing string should break While the tubing is being elevated orWithdrawn from the well.

A further object is to furnish a tubing catcher capable of permitting,after the catcher is anchored, vertical reciprocation 5 of the tubing,such 4as takes place during pumping.

With the foregoing objects outlined and with other objiects in viewwhich Will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists inthe novel features hereinafter described in detail, illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, yand more particularly pointed out in theappended claims.

Referring to the drawings,

form'ot' my improved tubing catcher, with the parts in the positionswhich they occupy while the tubing is being lowered into the casing.v

Fig. 2 is a similar View showing the catcher after it has been anchoredin a certain position in the casing, and with the tubin;T in its loweredposition ready to be raised tor a controlled drop.

Fig. 3 is a perspective View ot the catcher; the parts being in thepositions they assume while being lowered into a Well.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional View taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

5" Fig. 5 is a similar view taken on line 5-5 ot' Fig. 1.

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of one Fig. 6 is a similar viewtaken on line 66 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is an elevation of another form of the invention.

Fig. 8 is a similar view of a third form of the invention.

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view of a modification.

Figs. 10 and 11 are respectively. hori- @0 zontal sectional views takenon lines 10-10 andi11-11`in Fig. 9.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of one of the slips used with the -form ofthe invention shown in Fig. 9.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. '1 to 6inclusive, 1 designates a string of well tubing. and 2 a well casing.

For the 'purposes of the present invention, the tubing is provided atpredetermined spaced points with collars 3. 4 and 5 which are preferablyWelded in position on the periphery of the tube.

A Wedge sleeve or Weight 6 is slidable axially on the tubing and itssliding move ment is limited by vertical ribs 7 and 8 on the collars 3:ind 4. The upper end of the wedge sleeve is hollowed out to formanannular recess 9 terminating at its lower end in an annular shoulder 10.The upper end 30 portion of the Wedge sleeve is also provided with apair of diametrically opposite vertical grooves 11 which communicate at'their upper end with the annular recess 9.

As best shown in Fig. 4, the collar 3 has 85 a pair of the vertical ribs7, and these ribs when they are out of alignment with the grooves 11,may be close to, or in contact with the shoulder 10, but when the ribsare in alignment with the grooves 11, the ribs may enter said groovesand reciprocate in the latter if necessary.

The wedge sleeve is provided at its lower end with an annular recess 12,terminating at its upper end in semi-circular shoulders 13, and a pairofvertical grooves 14 are provided in the wedge sleeve and extendupwardly from the shoulders 13. The collar 4, as best shown in Fig. 5,has a pair of the vertical ribs 8 which When they are out of 10alignment with the grooves 14, may abut ,against the shoulders 13, butwhen in alignment with the grooves 14, may enter the latter.

A second sleeve is slidably mounted on the tubing and is provided with'leaf springs 16, designed to frictionally engage the inner surface ofthe casing fory holding the sleeve 15 of the,l slip assembly(hereinafter referred to), at any desired point. lhe degree of frictionbetween the springs`16 and the casing 2 is such that the sleeve 15 andconnected parts must be pushed into the casing by additional weight.

rlhe sleeve 15 is provided, say at three equally spaced points aroundits circumference, withpockets 17, each one of which receives theenlarged lower end 18 of a slip stem 19. 'llhilsl stem is pivotallymounted on the sleeve 15 'by means of a pin 20, and if v the pin shouldbe broken, the enlarged lower end 18 will prevent the' stem 19 fromleaving the sleeve 15;." y p 1n normal operation, the pins 20 pivotallyguide the slip stem-$.19 equally, but in case of'breakage of a pin, the,enlarged head 18 A will hold that slip in position and permit the sameto function. Heretofore, in some `1nstances, pins have been' employed topivotally mount the stems` of the slips, and in other instances, headshave been used withl enlarged the head, as shown at 18, and coml out thepins, but lf am unaware of any prior construction in which a pin andhead have been combined.' lit will be noted that l have bined a pivotpin `2() with this enlarged head.

Each stem is provided at its upper end with a slip 21 having a curvedinclined face 22 on its inner side, and a toothed face 23 on its outerside; such slips being adapted when the wedge sleeve 6 falls, to eX andand wedge themselves between the we ge block and the easing, and thusanchor the tubing catcher in position. 'The sleeve 15, stems 19, the slis 21 constitute a slip assembly. The we ge sleeve 6, is, at certaintimes, prevented from dropping relatively to the sleeve 15, by means ofthe spring legs 24. Each of these legs has its upper end secured by somesuitable fastening means, such as screws 25, to the lower end of thewedge sleeve 6, and the lower end of the leg enters a notch 26 providedin the sleeve 15. While the tubing 1s being lowered into a well, thelower extremity of each leg 24 rests on the lower surface 27 of itsrespective notch 26, and' consequently, the wedge sleeve is held in araised osition, as shown in Fig. 1.

Each notc is associated with a radially Y slidable pin 28v extendingthrough' the sleeve 15, and adapted to be forced by cams, (which make uas to push the ower ends of the legs 24 od -of the surfaces. 27 andpermit the wedge sleeve 6to drop relatively to the sleeve 15, asillustrated in lBig. 2.

the collar 5) outwardly, so

aeeiavee To produce this result, the collar 5 is made up of an upper setof cam surfaces 29, and a lower set of cam surfaces 30. lin theconstruction illustrated, there are three legs 24, three pins 28, threecams 29 and three cams 30. rlhe cams 29 are arranged in ring formation,with notches 31 between 4the same, and these cams '29 form the automaticactuating means in case there is an accidental drop of the tubingstring, `due to breakage or the like.

Thecam surfaces 30co-me into play when the tubing is turned by theoperator,l from the top of the well, and in such a case, these cams pushthe pins 28 outwardly to release v'the legs 24.

rlhe lower end of the wedge sleeve 6 is provided with pairs of`.upwardly 'and outwardly extending fingers 32; a pair of these fingersacting as guides for eachof the slip stems 19, and the lower end of eachslip has an inclined surface 33which cooperates with the fingers tonormally hold the slips in snug engagement with the outer surface of thewedge sleeve 6. Furthermore, in raising the device out of a well, thefingers 32 will tend to come in contact with the inclined surfaces 33,and by cooperation with the inner surface of the casing, will move theslips into contact with the outer surface ofthe wedge sleeve 6.

r1`he wedge sleeve has the usual vertical grooves or water courses 34.

My improved tubing catcher operates as follows: Assuming that the `partsare in the position shown in Fig. 1, and the device is being loweredinto a well, the weight of the wedge sleeve 6, through the legs 24,will'beai` upon the sleeve 15, and this will overcome the friction ofthe springs 16, and cause the catcher to move downwardlywith the tubing,while the lpartis arev in the position shown in said figure.

1f the string should break above my mechanism, the tubing will tend tofall at a greater speed than the parts 6 and 15, and consequently, thecam surfaces 29 will move downwardly past the pins 28, and cause thelatter 'to project and dislodge the lowerl ends of the legs 24 from theledges 27.` As this relieves the sleeve 15 of the weight 6, the

springs 16 immediately halt the sleeve l15 ofl stances, the operatorwill turnr the `tubing ica iat

from the top of `the Well, in a counter-clockwise direction, and thiswill cause the cams 30 to project the pins 28 and release the springlegs 24. This same movement brings the ribs 8 into alignment with thevertical grooves 14, so that the wedge block mayimmediately drop, andcause the slips 2l tomove outwardly and grip the casing. At the sametime, if desired, the tubing may be lowered until the ribs 7 enter thegrooves 11, as shown in Fig. 2.

With the parts in this position, the tubing may be raised to a limitedextent to allow reciprocation of the tubing without dislodging thetubing catcher. This is permitted by the grooves 11 or 14. In theposition of the parts as shown in Fig. 2, the pins 28 are in alignmentwith the clearance spaces 31, so that the cams 29 and 30 will notinterfere with the reci rocation of the tubing.

I it is desired to remove the tubing, the latter is raised and the ribs8 enter the grooves 14,l` and as soon as they abut against theupperfends of these grooves, they lift the wedge sleeve 6. When thewedge sleeve has been raised to a point where the fingers 32 are withina short distance of .the slips 21, a collar 35, fixed on the tubing,will enter the sleeve 15, and project the pins 28 outwardly, so that thelower ends of the legs 24 will be prevented from entering the notches26, even though the tubing has raised the wedge sleeve 6, to a pointwhere the lower ends of the legs 24 are opposite said notches. Thecollar 35 will hold the pins 28 projected as long as the tubing is beingraised, and assuming, of course, that the ribs 7 and 8 are in alignmentwith the grooves 11 and 14.

As soon as the wedge sleeve 6, in rising, brings its fingers 82 intoengagement with the lower ends ofthe slips 21, the slips will commenceto ascend, and their stems 19 will pull alon Y the sleeve 15 and thesprings 16.

Shoul however, the string break while it is being raised, the sprinos 16will immediately halt any downwardD movement of the sleeve 15 and slips2,1, and as the legs 24 are out of the notches126, the wedge sleeve 6may fall instantaneously and expand the slips 21 to again anchor thetubing catcher in the casing. At such time, the ribs 7 will engage theupper end of the wedge sleeve, and thus prevent the tubing from droppingthrough the catcher.

Assuming that the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 2, and it isdesired to position the tubing catcher at some lower point in thecasing, the operator turns the tubing in a clock-wisedirection,and'raises the same to the position shown in Fig. 1. This causes theribs 8 to engage the shoulders 13, so that the ywedge block is raisedfirst with the tubing. As the tubing rises, the cam surfaces 29 willslide past the pins 28 and assume the position shown in Fig. 1. Then, asthe legs 24 rise with the wedge sleeve, they will push the pins 28inwardly until the lower ends of the legs 24 rest on the ledges 27. Atthe same time, the fingers 32 Iwill engage the lower ends of the slips21, so as to hold the latter in their contracted positions. Now theparts are in the position shown in Fig. 1, and the catcher may be raisedor lowered as desired.

` If it is lowered to another location, and it is desired to anchor itat this point, the operator `simply turns the tubing in acounterclock-wise direction to cause the cams 30 to project the pins 28and release the legs 24. The wedge sleeve 6 then drops and locks thecatcher in position. Y

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 7, 6 designates a wedgesleeve, and 15 the sliding sleeve or tubular guide to which the stems 19of the slips 21x1 are connected.

In this form of the. invention, the friction springs 16 which arecapable of bearing the weight of the slip assembly, have their upperends curved inwardly and then upwardly to provide resilient supports 16bfor projections 16e, arranged on the wedge block 6a. With thisconstruction, asstnning that the device is being lowered into the well,as shown in Fig. 7, if the spring breaks, the tubing 1 will abruptlydrop, and* the collar 3 will strike the upper end of the sliding wedgesleeve 6a. This will cause the lugs 16c to expand the springs 16 andallow the wedge block to drop. This, of course, causes the wedge blockto expand the slips 21, so that the latter will grip the casing.

On the other hand, letus assume that the string remains unbroken, and itis desired to set the catcher at some particular elevation. lVhen thiselevation is reached, the operator allows the tubing to fall a shortdistance, or until the collar 3 strikes the wedge sleeve 6 and causesthe' latter to function.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. 8 is very similar tothat illus- `trated in Fig. 7, but in Fig. 8, I employ the cams 29a and30 to actuate the releasing pins 28. These pins in this form of theinvention expand the springs 16d, to release the projections 16" of thewedge block 6".

In this form ot the invention, if there is an abrupt drop of the tubing,due to breakage of the string, the cams 29a will project the pins 28I1to expand the springs 26". This will cause the springs to release theprojections 16" and permit the wedge block to fall, and the latter willexpand the slips 21" into locking engagement with the casing.

If it is desired, with this construction, to set the catcher at anydesired point in the casing, the tubing is turned to cause the cams 30nto project the pins 28 and expand the springs 16", so that the latterwill release the projettions 16 and permit the wedge block to fall andexpand the slips 21".

, sleeves connected to the latter.

' It will be noted inthe construction shown in Figs. Vl to 8 inclusive,that the lower ends of the slip stems are pivotally connected to theguide sleeves, andthe Wedge blocksv are arranged above the guidesleeves.

Referring to Figs.. 9 to 12 inclusive, itr will be seen that the guidesleeve 15b and the wedge sleeve 6f are both slidably mounted on thetubing 1b. rlhe guide sleeve carries the kfriction springs' 1'6f, thelower ends of which bear against the stems 19f of the slips 2l". Inthisform of the invention, the slips are suspended from the sleeve 15", andeach slip stem is mounted on a pivot pin 20f.

Each slip in, this instance is provided with a ledge 21.g which normallyfits under a shoulder 6g on the wedge block, so that the slips normallysupport said wedge block. t

The tubing is provided with sets of cams 29t and 30 for `actuating thepins 28f.

'ln operation, we will assume that the parte are in the position shownin Fig. 9, and being lowered into the well. In this position of theparts, they combined weight of the slip assembly and wedge block Gf Willbe 'suiiicient to overcome the friction of the springs 16f, so that inentering the well, the sleeve l5bv will rest on the collar 15g.' Now ifthe string should break, the tubing will drop faster than the tubingcatcher, but immediately, the cams 29'I will project the pins 28f, so asto release the slipsfrom the shoulders 6g. This relieves t-he slips ofthe Weightfof the wedge block (if, and then the springs 16t willimmediately halt the slip assembly. As the wedge block is then no longersu ported by the slips, it will move downward y relatively to said slipsand cause the latter to eX- pand and latch the tubing catcher. Then acollar 15h on the tubing, will engage the upper end of the wedge blockand prevent the tubing from falling through the catcher'.

Assuming that the device is being lowered into a Well, and it is desiredto anchor the same at some particular point, the operator turns thetubing, and this causes the cams 30f to project the pins and release theWedge block. rlhe Wedge block Will instantaneously fall and expand theslips 21', so as to lock the Icatcher'in the well at the desired point..In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 9 to 12 inclusive, itwill be noted that the stem 19f of each slip is offset or arranged atone end of the` slip 21'?, and the .stem extends through the Watercourse 34h.

:The invention disclosed in the present application is an improvement onthe devi@ madres described and illustrated in my prior applil cation,Serial No. 97,919, liled March 27, 1926. lin that application, I' reliedupon springs having a certain degree of friction to exert pressureagainst the well casing, but' in that case, the springs permit the slipassembly to move down the well under the weight of the slip assembly. lhave found,

-in practice, in using such al construction,

relatively high degree of friction on the casing, and such springs areactually forced down the well. Consequently, the springs will, in everyinstance, immediately halt the slip assembly, Whenever the tubingdescends at a faster rate than the catcher, or whenever the tubing isturned in a counter-clock-Wise direction to release the wedge block frombearing on the slip assembly. Furthermore, y

when the parts'are in the last mentioned position, if the device isbeing drawn upwardly, it can be immediately anchored at any point, asthe springs will instantaneously halt the slip assembly at any desiredelevation.

From a consideration of Figs. 1 and 2, of

the drawings,1ift will be observed that the ribs 7 an`d8 are spacedfurther apart than the shoulders l0 and 13 so that the tubing may move alimited distance relatively to the wedge block even though the ribs areout of alignment with the vertical grooves 11 and 14. Uf course, if theribs are in alignment with said grooves, the tubing `may move to agreater extent. f

From the foregoing, it is believed that the construction, operation andadvantages 0f the invention may be readily understood byV those skilledin the art, and l am aware that various changes may be made in thedetails disclosed .without departing from the spirit of the invention asexpressed in the claims.

`What l claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination with a Well casing and tubing therein, of a tubingcatcher including a slidablewedge block, a slip assembly, and frictionmeans between the slip assembly and casing, said friction meanssupporting the slip assembly in the casing at Iall times, and the Wedgeblock forcing the slip assembly down the casing as the tubing descends,said Wedge block functioning to exlng engagement with the casing. 2.'lhe combination with a Well casing and tubing therein, ofla tubingcatcher including a weight, a slip assembly and friction means,

pand the slips of the slip assembly into lockf said weight beingslidably mounted on the tubing, and said friction means beine arrangedbetween the slip assembly and the casing, said friction means exertingat all times, sufficient pressure to support thevslip assembly alone,said sliding weight bearing against the slip assembly to overcome thefriction exerted by the friction means and cause the slip assembly todescend with the tubing, and means functioning upon a downwardmovementof the tubing relatively to the catcher to permit the weight to move onthe tubing relatively to the slip assembly, whereby the slips of theslip assembly are moved into locking engagement with the casing.

3. The combination with a well casing and tubing therein, of a tubingcatcher slidably mounted on said tubing and including a weight, a slipassembly and friction means, said friction means exerting sufficientpressure on the casing to support the slip assembly alone at all times,said weight exerting its force upon the slip assembly while the catcheris being lowered into the well for causing the slip assembly andfriction means to move downwardly with the tubing, and means functioningupon downward movement of the tubing relatively to the catcher forpermitting the weight to move relatively to `the slip assembly formoving the slips of the slip assembly into locking engagement with thecasing.

4. The combination with a well casing and tubing therein, of a tubingcatcher mounted on the tubing and including a wedge block, a slipassembly and friction means, said 'friction means being connected to theslip assembly and always exerting sufficient pressure on the casing tosupport the slip as sembly alone, said wed e block being slidablymounted on the tu ing and forming a weight bearing against the slipassembly at certain times for causing the latter to descend in the wellwith the tubing, and means functioning uponldownward movement of thetubing relatively to the catcher for permitting relative t movementbetween the wedge block and slip assembly, whereby the latter moves theslips of said assembly into locking engagement with the wall of thewell.

5. The combination with a well havin tubingtherein, of'a tubing catchermounte on the tubing and including a weighted wedge block, a slipassembly and friction means, said friction means being connected to theslip assembly and always exerting suiicient pressure on the wall of thewell to support the slip assembly alone, said wedge block being slidablymounted on the tubing and bearing upon the slip assembly for causing thelatter to descend 1n the well with the tubing, and means functioningupon downward movement of the tubing relatively to the catcher forpermitting the wedge block to move relatively to the slip assembly andthereby move the slips of the assembly in to locking engagement with thewall of the well.

6. The combination kwith a well havin tubing therein, of a tubingcatcher mounte `on the tubing and including a weighted wedge block, aslip assembly and frlction means, said friction means being connected tothe slip assembly and always exerting sufficient pressure on the wall ofthe well to support the slip assembly alone, said wedge block beingslidably mounted on the tubing and bearing upon the slip assembly forcausing the latter to descend in the well with the tubing, and meansfunctioning upon downward movement of the tubing relatively to thecatcher for permitting the wedge block to move relatively to the sliassembly and thereby move the slips o' the assembly into lockingengagement with the wall of the well, said tubing being freely movablethrough the catcher to a limited eX- tent before and after the latterhas been anchored in the well..

7. The combination with a well havin tubing therein, of a tubing catchermount on the tubing and including a wei hted wedge block, a slipassembly and friction means, said friction means being connected to theslip assembly and always exertin sufficient pressure on 'the wall of thewe to support the slip assembly alone, said wedge block` being slidablymounted on the tubing and bearing upon the slip assembl for causing thelatter to descend in the we l with the tubing, andl means functioningupon downward movement of the tubing relatively to the catcher forpermitting the wedge block to move relatively to the slip assembly andthereby move the slips of the assembly into locking engagement with thewall of the well, said last mentioned means including movable members onthe slip assembly and Vcam surfaces on the tubing.

8. The combination with a well having tubing therein, of a tubingcatcher mounted on the tubing and including a weighted wedge block, aslip assemblyand friction means, said friction means being connected tothe slip assembly and always exerting suilicient pressure on the wall ofthe wel to sup ort the slip assembly alone, said wedge lilock beingslidably mounted on the tubing and bearing upon the slip assembl forcausing the latter to descend 1n the wel uwith the tubing, and meansfunctioning upon downward movement of the tubing relatively to thecatcher for permitting the wedge block to move relatvely to the slipassembly and thereby move the slips of the assembly into lockingengagement with the wall of the well, said last mentioned meansincluding projectable pins slidably mount- ,the tubing for projectingsaid pins.

lio

lze

-*'19, The combination lwith 1a well having a tubiiigtherein, of a'tubing catcher arranged in the Well onv said tubing and including aWeighted Wedge block, a slip assembly and friction means, saidfriction,means ,exerting at all times, sufficient pressure on th-easingto support the slip assembly alone, said Wedge lock being slidablymounted on the tubing and at certain times, exerting its Weight on theslip assembly to cause the latter to descend in the Well with thetubing, and means functioning upon turning movement of the tubingrelatively4 to the catcher for permitting said Wedge block to moverelatively to the slifp assembly, and force the slips of said assemblyinto locking engagement With the Wall of the Well.

10. The combination With a Well having tubing therein, of a tubingcatcher arranged in the well on said tubing and including a WeightedWedge block, a slip assembly and friction means, said friction meansexerting e at all times, suiiicient pressure on the cas ing to supportthe sli assembly alone, said" Wedge block being slidably mounted on thetubing and at certain times, exerting its Weight on the slip assembly tocause the latter to descend in the Well With the tubing, and meansfunctioning upon turning movement of the tubing relatively to thecatcher for permitting said Wedge block to move relatively to the slipassembly and force the slips of said assembly into locking engagementwith the Wall of the Well, said last mentioned means including movablemem- -bers on the slip' assembly and cam surfaces on the tubing. l v

11. The combination With a Well having a tubing therein, of a tubingcatcher arranged in the Well on said tubing'and including a WeightedWedge block, a slip assembly and 4friction means, saidfriction meansexerting at all times, sufficient pressure on the casing to support theslip assembly alone, said Wedge b ook being slidably mounted on thetubing and at certain times, exerting its Weight on the slip assembly tocause the latter to descend in the Well with the tubing, and meansfunctioning upon turning movement of the tubing relatively to thecatcher for permittin said Wedge block to move relatively to te slipassembly and force the slips of said assembly into locking engagementwith the wall of the Well, said last mentioned means includingprojectable pinsslidably mounted on the slip assembly, and cam surfaceson the tubing for projecting said pins.

12. A. tubing catcher comprising a Wedge block, a slip assembly andfriction means, the

Wedge block and slip assembly bein adapted to be slidably mounted on aWel tubing and to move thereon relatively to each other,

iecyzee legs connected to the Wedge block and engaging a part of theslip assembly for teinporarily holding the Wedge block and said part ofthe slip assembly in spaced relation, and means for disengaging the legsfrom said partof the slip assembly to permit the Wedge block to fall andexpand the slips' of the `slip assembly. f

13. A tubing: catcher comprising a Wedge lock, a slip assembly andfriction means, the Wedge block and slip assembly being 4adapted to beslidably mounted on a Well tubing and to move thereon relatively to eachother, legs' connected to the Wedge block and engaging a part of theslip assembly for teniporarily holding the wedge block and said part ofthe slip assembly in spaced relation,

and means for disengaging the legs fromv said part of the slip assemblyto permit the Wedge block to fall and expand the slips of the slipassembly, said last mentioned means including sliding projectable pinsadapted to be actuated `by cam surfaces on a Well tubing.

14C. The combination with a Well having a tubing therein, of a tubingcatcher mounted on the tubin and including a Weight, a slip assembly anfriction means, said friction means being connected to the slip.assembly and always exerting sufficient pressure on the Wall ofthe wellto supportthe slip assembly alone, said Weight being slidably mounted onthe tubing andbearing upon the slip assembly for causing the latter todescend in the i well with the tubing, and means functioning uponmovement of the tubing relatively tothe catcher for permitting theweight to move relatively to the sli assembly, and

. thereby move the slips of t e assembly into loclling engagement withthe wall of the We 15. r1`he combination with a well having a tubingtherein, of a tubing catcher `mounted on the tubing and including aWeight a slip assembly and friction means, said riction means beingconnected to the slip assembly and always exerting sufficient pressureon -the Wall of the Wellto su port the slip assembly alone, said Weighteing slidably mounted on the tubing and bearing upon the slip assemblyfor causing the latter to descendin the Well with the tubing, and meansfunctioning upon movement of the tubing relatively to the catcher forpermititng the weight to move relatively to the slip assembly, andthereby move the slips of the assembly into lockin engagement with 'theyvall of' the Well, said tubing and Weight having stop surfaces forlimiting the movement of theweight relatively to the tubing, certain ofsaid stop surfaces permitting the Weight to move a greater distance thanother of said sto surfaces.

16 A tu ing catcher comprising a weight, a slip assembly and frictionmeans, the

Weight and slip assembly being adapted to belslidably mounted on a Welltubing and to move thereon relatively to each other, legs connected tothe Weight and engaging a part of the slip assembly for temporarilyholding the weight and said part ofthe slip assembly in spaced relation,and means for disengaging the legs from said part of the slip assemblyto permit the Weight to fall and expand the slips of the slip assembly.

17. In a device substantially as described, a slip'asseinbly including asleeve provided with pockets, slips forming part of said assembly andhaving stems provided with cnlarged heads occupying said pockets, andpins pivotally connecting said heads to the sleeve, said enlarged headscooperating With the Walls of said pockets for preventing the stems fromdisengaging the sleeve in case of breakage of the pins.

18. The combination with a Well and tubing therein, of aqtubing catcherincluding a Weight, a slip assembly and friction means, said frictionmeans bearing against the Wall of the Well and exerting sufficientpressure at all times -to support the slip assembly alone, said weightbearing against the slip assembly to overcome the friction exerted bythe friction means and causing the slip as sembly to descend with thetubing, and means functioning upon sliding or turning movement of thetubing relatively `to the catcher to permit the Weight to move on thetubing relatively to the slip assembly whereby the slips of the assemblyare moved into locking engagement with the casing.

19. The combination with a well casing and a tubing therein, of a tubingcatcher including a weight, a slip assembly and friction means, saidfriction means bearing against the casing and capable of supporting theslip assembly alone at all times, said Weight being slidably mounted onthe tubing, means for holding the Weight in spaced relation to the slipassembly, pins for releasing the last mentioned means, cam surfaces onthe tubing for actuating said pins, and a collar on the tubing adaptedto engage said pins when the tubing is in a certain position and raised,for holding the pins in projected positions.

20. The combination with a well casing and a string of tubing therein,of a tubing catcher lincluding a wedge block, a slip assembly andfriction means, said wed e block being slidably mounted on the tubingand provided With substantially horizontal shoulders and verticalgrooves, vertical ribs on the tubing adapted to engage said shoulders orsaid grooves, ribs being spaced apart a greater distance than thedistance between said shoulders, said slip assembly including a sleeve,supports connected to the Wedge.

block and bearing against said sleeve, actuating members on the sleeveadapted to move the supports to permit the Wedge block to moverelatively to the sleeve, and actuating means on the tubing adapted tooperate said actuating members when the tubing is moved relatively tosaid sleeve.

In testimony whereof` I aiix my signature.

STEPHEN V. DILLON.

